Hands Off My Hormones

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Human Health: What are the implications?

The New York Times said they may be the tobacco of our time; Adria Vasil says they’re worse than that, since they’re found in so many products from cosmetics and cleaners to canned foods and cars. They are linked to breast and prostate cancer, autism, thyroid problems, ADHD and more.

What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?
The endocrine system is our exquisitely balanced system of glands and hormones. Hormones are chemicals such as insulin, thyroxin, estrogen, and testosterone that interact with specific target cells by a number of means.

An easy way to picture this is with the image of a lock and key. For example, target cells such as those in the uterus contain receptors (locks) into which specific estrogenic hormones (keys) can attach and thereby cause specific biological actions, such as regulating ovulation or terminating pregnancy. Similarly, hormones regulate such vital functions as body growth, response to stress, sexual development, production and use of insulin, among others.
Synthetic chemicals trick target cells into believing they are true keys to these cells’ locks (e.g.: estrogen-mimicking chemicals) and thus wreak havoc with this sensitively balanced system.

Timing
There are many periods of vulnerability during which exposure to EDCs can be particularly harmful. The most well studied critical periods are prenatal and early postnatal development. Effects of early life exposure may not manifest until much later in life. Effects in one generation may be transmitted to future generations through mechanisms involved in programming gene activity, referred to as epigenetic changes.

Synthetic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Over the past 60 years, through technological advances, a growing number of synthetic chemicals have been used in the production of almost everything we purchase. They have become a part of our indoor environment, found in cosmetics, cleaning compounds, baby and children’s toys, food storage containers, furniture and carpets, computers, phones, and appliances.

ELLE CHAVEZ-JEREZ
"Breasts! Now that I've gotten your attention, watch this clip to learn why this Endocrine Disruptors Campaign is important to me."

LAURIANNE LAMARCHE
"Intoxicate myself every day, no thank you! Take a couple of minutes to listen why it's important to take a stand against endocrine disruptors."

DEENA DLUSY-APEL
"How long will it take? I thought my government would look after me. See my video about my concerns."

ROSANNE COHEN
"We can no longer stand by and watch rates of cancer and other chronic diseases go up. We have to do everything we can to stop it. I fight this fight for my son and grandchildren. Who are you fighting for?"

PATRICIA KEARNS
"Before they are even born, children 's lives can be affected by endocrine disruptors. That really bothers me."